Life Lessons and Law of Success

 Reflection - This will be my second to last semester here at BYU-I and I look forward to the journey ahead. As we begin the Fall Semester we are greeted by the icebreaker and getting to know one another discussions. Pages filled with photos of my peers and their families. We know the drill for the first weeks of the semester we are to introduce ourselves and share a bit about our education and what we want to do after graduation. I like that Elder Bednar shared a few things that resonated with me. An excerpt from his talk stated, "A college experience is a period of development in one's life to be prized and prospered." In my mind, the prospect of education is the development of faith and competence. Like in the scriptures, by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass. Faith is defined as the firm belief in something for which there is no proof. If we break it down, we know that I had no clue what I wanted to do after Pathway. I also didn't understand where it would take me. I pushed myself to make the move by enrolling in the following semester at BYUI and today see where it all has taken me. My faith has wavered throughout the years and I was not able to find competence until my sophomore year. "There are essential skills for a spiritual, happy and productive life." I have been able to gain and sharpen my skills as a student from the interactions with my peers, having deep discussions about doctrine and academics. I was grateful for the experience because it took me to a whole new level of understanding. I love words and being able to understand its definition and how I can apply it to my life. 

Faithful - Competent - Sacrifice - Consecration - 

Diligence + Heart, might, mind, and strength = Strong mind (a mind capable of learning and instruction and discipline and receiving revelation). 

Both words have similar meanings but the levels of understanding are different. As one word is the action while the other is the descriptive. Both words work together harmoniously. 

D&C 82:3 "...of him unto whom much is given much is required"

• Describe your own experience with becoming a faithful and competent student, as Elder Bednar describes.

When I started my education journey back to higher education, I was in a state of confusion and mystery. I had no clue what I wanted to do after high school and some circumstances brought me to work full-time to help when my father became ill. I got married and life took me in a different direction. I found my faith being tested against the world and what a person is "worth" becomes more important than being graceful, loving, and forgiving. The world literally would chew you up and spit you out. It was my main feeling at the time. As I completed each semester, my understanding of the gospel and the time it took to read, interpret, ponder, and prove showed me that in order to become faithful and competent I had work to do that I may have not known to be part of my plan. When we read about the Lord and His timing, we truly do not know until after we complete a task what is the whole picture. Elder Bednar allowed to share these principles with the students so that they can take this information and compare it to their lives after they pursue their degrees and move on to the next steps. Today I know where my path lay and how to continue on the narrow path. 

• How is your educational experience related to sacrifice and consecration, as defined by Elder Bednar?

I have been able to see many miracles throughout my semesters here at BYUI. The knowledge flourished within my brain and throughout each class. I am thankful that I have been able to see the sacrifices I have made from time to study, to attend my Zoom meetings, and to express myself through my writing, assignments, and working as a group. I have been able to understand what consecration means after completing my classes each semester. Sacrifice is the willingness to offer anything or possessions for the sake of the gospel. We know that consecration is the intention to use our time, talents, and skills for the building up of God's kingdom.